A leaked audio recording, attributed to Delcy Rodríguez, a prominent figure in Chavismo and interim leader of the Venezuelan regime, purportedly exposes direct threats from the United States against high-ranking government officials following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
The recording, initially shared by the journalistic group La Hora de Venezuela and cited by international outlets, includes Rodríguez alleging that U.S. officials gave her, Diosdado Cabello, and Jorge Rodríguez just 15 minutes to choose between cooperation with Washington or facing death.
"They told us that Maduro was not kidnapped but dead," Rodríguez is heard saying during the audio, which was recorded at a private meeting with regime-friendly communicators and influencers, just a week after the U.S. military operation.
In the nearly two-hour-long material, the Chavista leader expresses that they never anticipated such a massive attack. "Attacking the capital and bombing it is not part of our history. We never thought they would dare so much," she asserts, describing the situation as a "nuclear threat."
Rodríguez claims that U.S. threats and blackmail are ongoing, and she acknowledges that, under such circumstances, her priorities were "to preserve Venezuela's peace," "bring Maduro back," and explicitly, "maintain political power."
"We are cautious with every move and strategy, considering them," she adds, referring to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The audio provides a rare glimpse into the internal tensions of Chavismo following the downfall of its leading figure, as well as the regime's efforts to manage the public narrative and prevent internal fractures.
In the recording, the then-Minister of Communication, Freddy Ñáñez, urges those present to close ranks and stop rumors that might portray Rodríguez as a traitor.
Neither the Venezuelan government nor the United States has officially confirmed the threats described in the audio. In fact, Rodríguez has not publicly repeated this accusation, and this week, Washington officials suggested that she might soon travel to the U.S. capital.
Analysts speculate that Rodríguez's narrative could be part of a strategy to keep the Chavista base united, in a context where it is assumed that Maduro's capture could only occur with some level of internal collaboration.
Since the fall of the former president, the regime has maintained a public stance of confrontation with the U.S., while practically complying with the Trump Administration's demands, a contradiction that experts say reveals a struggle to buy time and retain power.
Key Questions About the Leaked Audio and U.S.-Venezuela Relations
What does the leaked audio of Delcy Rodríguez reveal?
The leaked audio, attributed to Delcy Rodríguez, alleges that U.S. officials threatened high-ranking Venezuelan government members with death if they did not cooperate following Nicolás Maduro's capture.
Have the governments confirmed the allegations made in the audio?
Neither the Venezuelan nor the U.S. government has officially confirmed the threats described in the audio recording.
What could be the motive behind Rodríguez's claims?
Analysts suggest that Rodríguez's claims might be part of a strategy to maintain unity among the Chavista base, considering the possibility of internal collaboration in Maduro's capture.